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GARETH SOUTHGATE plans urgent talks with Jude Bellingham to reignite his Euros form ahead of England’s last-16 clash with Slovakia on Sunday.
Bellingham struggled in the dismal Group C draws with Denmark and Slovenia after his winner against Serbia.
Boss Southgate and Three Lions icon Wayne Rooney are alarmed over the “frustrated” Real Madrid superstar’s dip in performance.
When Southgate was asked if he will speak to Bellingham, he replied: “I will have those messages with him rather than plaster them over the papers.”
And former England captain Rooney said: “He has looked very frustrated. I’ve been there in exactly the position. In the game against Slovenia, I saw him throwing his arms up.
“Jude started the first game well but I’m sure he’d tell you himself he hasn’t had the best last two games.”
Rooney is also concerned that Champions League and LaLiga winner Bellingham, 20, is not “fronting up”.
The ex-Manchester United striker told BBC 5 Live: “As a talisman for England and now Real Madrid, I haven’t heard him speak. So what is the reason for that?
“As one of the iconic players for England, he should be fronting that.
“We saw Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon speaking, who are playing bit parts in the tournament.
“People want Jude and Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Jordan Pickford — the senior players. I know Jude’s not, but he’s going to play if fit and you want to hear him speaking.
“That tells me he’s probably not quite right.”
Bellingham spoke after the Serbia game because he was man of the match — but has done no other significant media duties.
England are hopeful Manchester City’s Prem Player of the Season Phil Foden will be back in time for the last-16 tie after returning home for the birth of his third child.
And Rooney reckons Southgate should bring Gordon and Palmer into the team following their cameos in Cologne.
Rooney said: “Anthony has to play on the left. Palmer, after his performance when he came on, maybe he can play.
“With Phil Foden going home, that can make Gareth’s mind up.
“Anthony comes in and it frees Bellingham up, so I think that will be the change he makes.”
Southgate, meanwhile, admits he needs all of his big players to perform.
He said: “We need the whole team.
“They have to keep going and in the end things will turn.” — Sun.
Online Reporter